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Ginger Gold Mystery #6.2
Six Merry Little Murders
Indulge yourself with this collection of delectable cozy mystery novellas!
Lee Strauss - MURDER BY PLUM PUDDING
There's nothing more fun than a festive holiday dinner party and Ginger Reed, the former Lady Gold, has Hartigan House decorated and the gramophone playing. Dressed in her finest Parisian low-waisted gown, feather-topped tiara, and T-strapped Italian leather shoes, Ginger is ready to host the delectable event.
It's a jolly good time, until someone chokes on the pudding.
Is it an accident or is it murder? And can Ginger unravel the mystery before the church bells ring and New Year's Day dawns?
Karen MacInerney - SLAY BELLS RING
It's Christmastime on Dewberry Farm, and homesteader Lucy Resnick is busy bundling mistletoe bunches and cedar swags for the Buttercup Christmas Market when a neighbor's houseguest keels over right next to her peach orchard. Was it a stray bullet from a hunter that took him out? Or did a guest at the fancy ranch next door decide to scratch somebody off his or her Christmas list? It's up to Lucy to unwrap the mystery… before the holiday killer strikes again.
CeeCee James - CHRISTMAS AT BAKER STREET
In this Baker Street spin-off, Oscar and Cecelia find themselves and the guests snowed in this Christmas holiday. What should be all sugar cookies and hot cocoa takes a drastic turn when one of the guests turns up cold—as in stone cold dead. With no help in sight, the two hope to find the killer before anyone else gets iced out, including them.
Nancy Warren - CAT'S PAWS AND CURSES
In this classic closed room mystery, someone is murdered during a knitting class. But how was it possible? Lucy Swift and her band of undead knitters must catch the culprit before there's a second Christmas catastrophe!
Molly Fitz - MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM
It's Angie's first Christmas as a pet owner, and she can't wait to celebrate with Octo-Cat, Paisley, and Nan. All it takes is a little finely-crafted trickery to get her crabby tabby into the local pet supply store for a special photo opportunity with Santa. Unfortunately, the jolly old soul is found dead in the stock room before he ever gets the chance to say "cheese." Angie and her motley crew of sidekicks need to work fast to find the culprit and prevent any further suspicious holiday slaying... Otherwise, the most wonderful time of the year could end up becoming the most murderous season Blueberry Bay has ever seen.
Addison Moore - CHRISTMAS FUDGE FATALITY
My name is Lottie Lemon, and I see dead people. Okay, so I rarely see dead people, mostly I see furry creatures of the dearly departed variety, aka dead pets, who have come back from the other side to warn me of their previous owner's impending doom.
The holidays have arrived and the Jolly Holly Tree Lot is hosting a special event that has the entire town bustling to get a picture with the jolly old elf himself. And I'm just as anxious as anyone to get to the front of the line, but that body I stumble upon threatens to take the joy right out of the season.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2019
1330 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
Lee Strauss
128 books2,351 followersFor fans of Golden Age who-dun-its ~ from a USA TODAY Bestselling author!
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
November 29, 2019
I always have a difficult time rating and reviewing a collection of short stories or novellas because there are some I really like and some I really don't. In Six Merry Little Murders, I absolutely loved the first short by Lee Strauss. I'm not at all familiar with the author but loved the story, the characters, the time period and the conclusion. In fact, I liked it so much that I checked out the first full length book in the series and have started reading it. The second in the book is by an author I was slightly familiar with and has a modern setting. It was a typical holiday cozy mystery and was pleasant. From there I lost interest. Talking cats, vampire knitting clubs... I'm very sure there are those who would enjoy these stories, I just wasn't the target audience.
October 11, 2019
Murder by Plum Pudding by Lee Strauss is the story that I read in this boxed set. Ginger and Basil have a house full of guests, family and family friends, at Christmas. It's a rather tense situation when at the end of the Christmas meal one of the guests dies. A quickly paced plot with secrets, lies, red herrings and several suspects for Basil and Ginger to investigate. I was hooked from the first page and quickly finished it in one afternoon. I really enjoy this series by Ms. Strauss and always look forward to next one in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
October 19, 2019
Six Merry Little Murder: Christmas Cozy Mystery Novellas contains six entertaining mini cozy mysteries from Karen MacInerney, Lee Strauss, Molly Fitz, Addison Moore, Nancy Warren and CeeCee James. Meowy Christmas Mayhem by Molly Fitz has Angie and Octo-Cat solving a crime in a pet store. Nan created an over-the-top advent calendar with an activity listed for each day. Nan, Paisley, Angie and Octo-Cat are dressed up and at the local pet store to get their picture taken with Santa (Octo-Cat has no clue). Unfortunately, Santa is found dead in the storeroom. Officer Bouchard is in the store at the time and he recruits Angie to help him wrap up the case. Slay Bells Ring by Karen MacInerney is A Dewberry Farm Christmas novella. Lucy Resnick is preparing items to sell at the upcoming Christmas Market with help from her friend, Quinn Sloane. They are on the back porch when they hear the pop of gunshots. Cyrus Lemmon owns the property across the creek and frequently has hunting parties. Lucy grabs her binoculars to make sure everything is alright. More pops ring out and she sees a man crumple to the ground in her peach orchard. Lucy sets out to bag the killer before jolly old St. Nick rolls into town. I enjoyed reading these cute mystery novellas. They can be read as standalones. Meowy Christmas Mayhem is a humorous cozy mystery. Nan and Octo-Cat’s antics will have you in stitches. Molly Fitz provided a clever mystery. You can read one or all six. I like that there was a paranormal mystery included. Six Merry Little Murders provides six delightful cozy mysteries with mouthwatering recipes.
October 18, 2019
#1 - Murder by Plum Pudding - Lee Strauss
A large group of people are gathered around the table for Christmas Dinner at the home of Chief Inspector Basil Reed and his wife, Ginger. The guests include Ginger's step-mother, Sally Hartigan, and her sister, Louisa, as well as several friends of Ginger's late father, George Hartigan. Unfortunately, all is not merry and bright, as some of the guests seem to clash a bit.
During dinner, some of the conversations seem a little strained. When it is time for dessert, Alan Lester declines to eat the Plum Pudding. His brother-in-law, Arnold Doyle, is more than happy to have a second helping and digs in. As they are preparing to have coffee in the drawing room, Arnold Doyle grabs his throat and gasps. Even before Dr. Gupta could get to him, Arnold fell limp and died.
How did Arnold die? If so, how? He ate the same food as everybody else. Was he poisoned? Was it an accident? Can Ginger and Basil determine what happened?
#2 = Slay Bells Ring - Karen MacInerney
Lucy Reznick and her friend, Quinn, are busy bundling mistletoe and things together for the Christmas Market in Buttercup when they hear some gunshots in the distance. Although they had posted "No Hunting" signs, their neighbor, Cyrus Lemmon, continues to have hunting parties on his property across Dewberry creek from Lucy's property. Using her binoculars, Lucy sees a man aiming at something on her property. But before the man can shoot, he crumples to the ground, shot by another shooter. As Lucy has Quinn call 9-1-1, a person comes out of the bushes to check the fallen hunter, then leaves without any attempt to help. The person hid their face and Lucy could not tell if it was a man or a woman.
Who killed the hunter? Who was the hunter that got killed? Was it an accident or murder? Can Lucy help to solve the mystery before somebody else dies?
#3 - Baker Street Christmas - CeeCee James
Oscar is a retired FBI agent and Cecelia owns the Bed & Breakfast Inn next door. While Cecelia is next door speaking with Oscar, there is a knock at the door. When Oscar opens the door, a man slumps to his knees and simply says "Water" then collapsed...dead. The man, Mike McElroy, is a guest at Cecelia's B & B. Mike was there with his father, Steve, who is in a wheel chair following an accident.
How did Mike die? Was it an accident or murder? Is Cecelia in danger of losing her B & B? Can Cecelia and Oscar solve the mystery before somebody else dies?
#4 - Cat's Paws and Curses - Nancy Warren
Lucy Swift owns and operates the Cardinal Woolsey's knitting shop. The Knitting Club meets there on a regular basis. Most of the ladies were elderly and made things for their families. Sarah Lawson was younger, coming to the shop after work and often bringing something to eat with her. Priscilla Carstairs was another exception in that everything she mad was for herself, not others. Hudson was the only male in the group.
The winter weather had caused a couple of brief power outages recently. While Lucy is setting everthing up for tea, lights suddenly go out and the Knitting Group is plunged into darkness. As Lucy is looking for some candles, they hear a crash and breaking china. When the lights are restored, Joan says she was scalded by the tea and Priscilla Carstairs is dead, with a knitted Santa stuffed down her throat.
Who killed Priscilla? Why was she killed? Can Lucy figure out what happened?
#5 - Meowy Chrismas Mayhem - Molly Fiz
Angie Russo is known as Pet Whisperer, P.I. because she can talk with animals. Her cat, Octo-Cat, along with her grandmother, Nan, and Paisley (Nan's pet chihuahua), are heading to the local pet store to have their pets pictures taken with Santa. The pet store is quite crowded with everybody looking forward to getting their pet pictures with Santa. Officer Bouchard is also there with his two cats, Ghost and Shadow. The pictures were supposed to start at noon, but by 12:20 there was still no Santa.
Hearing a scream from the back of the store, Angie and Officer Bouchard go to investigate. They find Santa on the floor, but he is not breathing. The store manager could not identify the dead Santa, as he was not the one she had hired for the photo session.
Who was the man in the Santa suit? Who killed him? Why was he killed? Where is the Santa that the manager had hired? Can Angie and Officer Bouchard figure out the mystery?
#6 - Christmas Fudge Fatality - Addison Moore
Whenever Lottie Lemon sees the ghost of a dead pet, it is usually a sign of disaster in the making. Lottie has two paramours vying for her attention - Detective Noah Fox and Judge Everett Baxter. Along with most of the town, they are all gathered at Jolly Holly Tree Lot in Honey Hollow for pictures with Santa. Lottie was asked to provide sweets for the concession stand and brought some very appetizing chocolate fudge. Unfortunately, not everybody has the holiday spirit. Scott and Tamara Gray are going through a very messy and noisy divorce. It also appears that Tamara is on less than friendly terms with several other people.
When Tamara is found at the bottom of a cliff, there is no shortage of suspects. She was heard arguing with several people shortly before her death and one of the people mentioned was Lottie Lemon.
How did Tamara die? Was it an accident or murder? If murder, who killed her? Can Lottie prove her innocence? Can Lottie, Noah, and Everett unmask the real culprit?
This entire set of short stories will provide an assortment of fun and enjoyable mysteries for your reading pleasure.
A large group of people are gathered around the table for Christmas Dinner at the home of Chief Inspector Basil Reed and his wife, Ginger. The guests include Ginger's step-mother, Sally Hartigan, and her sister, Louisa, as well as several friends of Ginger's late father, George Hartigan. Unfortunately, all is not merry and bright, as some of the guests seem to clash a bit.
During dinner, some of the conversations seem a little strained. When it is time for dessert, Alan Lester declines to eat the Plum Pudding. His brother-in-law, Arnold Doyle, is more than happy to have a second helping and digs in. As they are preparing to have coffee in the drawing room, Arnold Doyle grabs his throat and gasps. Even before Dr. Gupta could get to him, Arnold fell limp and died.
How did Arnold die? If so, how? He ate the same food as everybody else. Was he poisoned? Was it an accident? Can Ginger and Basil determine what happened?
#2 = Slay Bells Ring - Karen MacInerney
Lucy Reznick and her friend, Quinn, are busy bundling mistletoe and things together for the Christmas Market in Buttercup when they hear some gunshots in the distance. Although they had posted "No Hunting" signs, their neighbor, Cyrus Lemmon, continues to have hunting parties on his property across Dewberry creek from Lucy's property. Using her binoculars, Lucy sees a man aiming at something on her property. But before the man can shoot, he crumples to the ground, shot by another shooter. As Lucy has Quinn call 9-1-1, a person comes out of the bushes to check the fallen hunter, then leaves without any attempt to help. The person hid their face and Lucy could not tell if it was a man or a woman.
Who killed the hunter? Who was the hunter that got killed? Was it an accident or murder? Can Lucy help to solve the mystery before somebody else dies?
#3 - Baker Street Christmas - CeeCee James
Oscar is a retired FBI agent and Cecelia owns the Bed & Breakfast Inn next door. While Cecelia is next door speaking with Oscar, there is a knock at the door. When Oscar opens the door, a man slumps to his knees and simply says "Water" then collapsed...dead. The man, Mike McElroy, is a guest at Cecelia's B & B. Mike was there with his father, Steve, who is in a wheel chair following an accident.
How did Mike die? Was it an accident or murder? Is Cecelia in danger of losing her B & B? Can Cecelia and Oscar solve the mystery before somebody else dies?
#4 - Cat's Paws and Curses - Nancy Warren
Lucy Swift owns and operates the Cardinal Woolsey's knitting shop. The Knitting Club meets there on a regular basis. Most of the ladies were elderly and made things for their families. Sarah Lawson was younger, coming to the shop after work and often bringing something to eat with her. Priscilla Carstairs was another exception in that everything she mad was for herself, not others. Hudson was the only male in the group.
The winter weather had caused a couple of brief power outages recently. While Lucy is setting everthing up for tea, lights suddenly go out and the Knitting Group is plunged into darkness. As Lucy is looking for some candles, they hear a crash and breaking china. When the lights are restored, Joan says she was scalded by the tea and Priscilla Carstairs is dead, with a knitted Santa stuffed down her throat.
Who killed Priscilla? Why was she killed? Can Lucy figure out what happened?
#5 - Meowy Chrismas Mayhem - Molly Fiz
Angie Russo is known as Pet Whisperer, P.I. because she can talk with animals. Her cat, Octo-Cat, along with her grandmother, Nan, and Paisley (Nan's pet chihuahua), are heading to the local pet store to have their pets pictures taken with Santa. The pet store is quite crowded with everybody looking forward to getting their pet pictures with Santa. Officer Bouchard is also there with his two cats, Ghost and Shadow. The pictures were supposed to start at noon, but by 12:20 there was still no Santa.
Hearing a scream from the back of the store, Angie and Officer Bouchard go to investigate. They find Santa on the floor, but he is not breathing. The store manager could not identify the dead Santa, as he was not the one she had hired for the photo session.
Who was the man in the Santa suit? Who killed him? Why was he killed? Where is the Santa that the manager had hired? Can Angie and Officer Bouchard figure out the mystery?
#6 - Christmas Fudge Fatality - Addison Moore
Whenever Lottie Lemon sees the ghost of a dead pet, it is usually a sign of disaster in the making. Lottie has two paramours vying for her attention - Detective Noah Fox and Judge Everett Baxter. Along with most of the town, they are all gathered at Jolly Holly Tree Lot in Honey Hollow for pictures with Santa. Lottie was asked to provide sweets for the concession stand and brought some very appetizing chocolate fudge. Unfortunately, not everybody has the holiday spirit. Scott and Tamara Gray are going through a very messy and noisy divorce. It also appears that Tamara is on less than friendly terms with several other people.
When Tamara is found at the bottom of a cliff, there is no shortage of suspects. She was heard arguing with several people shortly before her death and one of the people mentioned was Lottie Lemon.
How did Tamara die? Was it an accident or murder? If murder, who killed her? Can Lottie prove her innocence? Can Lottie, Noah, and Everett unmask the real culprit?
This entire set of short stories will provide an assortment of fun and enjoyable mysteries for your reading pleasure.
December 1, 2019
Kindle Freebie at time of download
This anthology of Christmas, pet or culinary themed Christmas cozies contains a little something for everyone.
MURDER BY PLUM PUDDING by Less Strauss-- 4 stars is the whole reason I downloaded this set. I love the Ginger Gold series and this is no exception. Ginger is excited to celebrate Christmas with her new family and show Scout the magic of the season. However, she's a bit wistful missing her stepmother and sister back in Boston. When Sally and Louisa show up, Ginger is excited to see them, until they announce they're staying with her! Ginger is planning a dinner party with an American business associate of her father and his wife, the Reed family and friends. Another guest is invited for dinner so the young ladies will have a single gentleman to fight over! The American, Mr. Doyle, may be rude and crass but surely no one would wish him dead? That seems to be the case when the man dies after eating a bite of Christmas pudding. Basil and Dr. Gupta are certain the death was not due to natural causes. Can Ginger and Basil solve the crime before Christmas is over?
This story is longer than the Lady Gold Investigates series and shorter than a full-length novel. It's a very satisfactory length but a bit too long to read in one sitting. I love how confident Ginger and Basil are now in their relationship with each other and how easy they share sleuthing duties. His respect for her is admirable. Scout usually provides some comic relief but he isn't in the story much. Boss, my very favorite character, does have a big role to play in this story. Louisa is back and as annoying as ever and we get to finally meet Sally. I can see why Louisa is a pill. I don't understand what Ginger's father saw in Sally. Sally is acting more than snippy, she acts suspicious. There's NO WAY Ginger's stepmother could be a killer, right? Readers of Ginger's Journal may be disappointed that one entry is repeated here but still it was good to meet Sally in the present and see what she is like now her husband is dead.
Newcomers include Mr. and Mrs. Doyle from America. He's a loud, crude man- the sort the English hate. He manages to insult Ginger and her guests while his wife is forced to put up with his behavior and apologize. Her brother, Mr. Lester, is also at the dinner party. He's quiet and a bit aloof. Mr. Lester doesn't really respond to Louisa and Felicia's flirtations. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, friends of the Reeds, seem lonely and sad. They have secrets that could lead to the killer. Mrs. Davenport seems to be elderly, frail and possibly afflicted with dementia. They're a rather sad reminder that the book is set post-WWI.
I figured out which person was the killer right away and the murder weapon is equally obvious. Still, this is a fun mystery and fans of the series will enjoy it. Newcomers could start here if they wanted but I wouldn't recommend it.
SLAY BELLS RING by Karen MacInerney -- 2 stars
At Dewberry Farm in Texas, Christmas means mistletoe bunches, cedar swags and homemade goat's milk soap for the Buttercup Christmas Market. When Lucy Resnick and her friend Quinn hear shots coming from the ranch next door they are a bit worried for the livestock. Then the shots move closer into Lucy's peach orchard and the ladies become frightened and move indoors. The shooting turns fatal when a person crumples dead in the orchard and another person takes off running. The police think it was a random accident with the city folks staying at Lemmon Ranch but when Lucy has an opportunity to meet her wealthy neighbor and his guests, something doesn't feel right. Was this an accident or was it murder?
This series is new to me and I frankly didn't care at all about the characters or the setting. I'm not a farm girl and I'm not from Texas. I couldn't relate to Lucy or the other characters at all. Cyrus Lemmon seems nice enough but he and his guests do an awful lot of drinking before dinner. His wife, Lissa, is an alcoholic and an angry drunk. She's a nasty woman and I don't see their marriage lasting. The guests all meld together as faceless rich people. The way the mystery is solved is a bit too coincidental and quick. This is not my favorite story.
CHRISTMAS AT BAKER STREET by CeeCee James -- 3.5 stars
In this Baker Street spin-off, Cecelia is working hard to put grumpy Oscar in the Christmas spirit. When one of her guests ends up dead outside the B&B and the police threaten to take away her food license, Cecelia is deeply upset. It's up to Oscar to put his rusty FBI skills to the test and figure out what happened and help Cecelia.
I loved catching up with these characters even though I don't usually like elderly characters and elderly romances. That came as a shock to me. The last I saw Oscar, he was barely coming around and talking to Georgie. Now he's kissing Cecelia and they are obviously in love. It's sweet how her cheerful optimism can bring him out of his grief-stricken funk. Bear aka Peanut is hands-down my favorite character. She's so silly and cute. In this novella she has a very important part. I was happy to read that scene. Georgie is nowhere in sight and Frank only appears in police capacity.
There are several new guests at the B&B. Mike, the deceased, was a young man visiting the inn with his wheelchair-bound father, Steve. Mike seems like he was a slacker and Steve was tough on him. Steve is paralyzed from an accident and unable to manage without a caretaker. I feel very badly for him that his son and caretaker was killed. Steve is a bit tough and hard to like too and perhaps he was overly harsh to his son. Roy and Troy, businessmen visiting town, seem to have a lot of free time on their hands for people attending a conference. They don't even know when hey're supposed to be done. Maybe they're playing hooky or hiding something? Sarah, a college student, seems very kind and caring. Sarah is the only guest who is truly likable. Bobby and Brenda are newcomers after the murder. They can't seem to get their story straight and act kind of suspicious. They seem nice enough though and weren't around at the time of Mike's death. Perhaps they're just private?
This is a complicated mystery! I figured out one of the mysteries but not the whole picture. I enjoyed the puzzle of trying to fit the pieces together. One big mystery remains- what did Oscar do that his sons find unforgivable? A new spin-off series focusing on Oscar and his family will answer that question.
CAT'S PAWS AND CURSES by Nancy Warren I skipped this story. I don't do vampires.
MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM by Molly Fitz -- 3 stars
It's Christmas and clients for her P.I. business have been scarce but Angie and her sidekick Octo-Cat have still discovered their fair share of murderers thanks to Angie's ability to hear animals' thoughts and speak with them. Angie's Nan has a whole month of festive activities planned including pet pictures with Santa wearing outfits to match their owners'. Octo-Cat protests but Angie refuses to translate his grumpiness. Nan and her pup Paisley accompany Angie and Octo-Cat to the pet shop but Santa does not await. After a delay, Angie searches out Santa only to find him dead in the back storeroom. With the local police busy, it's up to Officer Bouchard, Angie, Angie's boyfriend Charles (a lawyer) and Octo-Cat to solve the crime.
The setting is charming. Even though I hate paranormal and find the whole reason for Angie's gift super cheesy, I enjoyed the concept. Angie is an eternal optimist with a sunny disposition. Normally I'd find her annoying but Octo-Cat's grouchiness makes up for it. I love his sarcasm. Sometimes he's a little too grouchy and mean. The author must be a cat lover because the dogs seem to be less intelligent or less developed than the cat. Paisley sounds like a little sweetheart but childlike compared to Octo-Cat's old man voice. Nan is irritating but she's fun and if she was my grandma, I'd be embarrassed but love her anyway.
Who could have killed Santa and why? The store manager, Shirley, claims the victim wasn't the man she hired and she has never seen this man before. Shirley is obviously defensive but doesn't seem upset that someone was murdered. She's the type who is more concerned about the store than the human. Andy Crawford, the real Santa-for-hire, is a crude sort of man. He's brash and kind of bullying. I found Andy to be a very unpleasant man. The victim, Marcus, wasn't a great guy but I feel sorry for him. Scott, Marcus's only friend, is also rude and unpleasant. He seems genuinely upset that Marcus was killed.
Which one killed Marcus? The solution isn't so easy to figure out and is rather complicated. I didn't expect the twist.
CHRISTMAS FUDGE FATALITY by Addison Moore -- 2.5 stars
Lottie Lemon is eager to enjoy the Christmas season with her cats and her two boyfriends. When she comes out to take a picture of Santa with her cats she unwillingly gets in the middle of a feud between her friend, Tamara Gray and Tamara's ex-husband's girlfriend Stacy. Lottie hopes the divorcing couple can settle things soon but when she sees the ghost of a French Bulldog, she fears the worst. Seeing dead pets usually means murder is imminent. In spite of extra police detail, Lottie finds Tamara's body lying at the bottom of a ravine. Everyone is certain Tamara's ex Scott is the killer but Noel, the French Bulldog is still hanging around. He wants justice done for his beloved friend and is eager to help dole it out. If only they can untangle the complicated knot woven around Tamara's life to find the killer.
I really hate ghost stories. I love animals so I kept reading this one. One dead pet didn't bother me too much because Noel seemed to really be alive. I did not enjoy the cameo by two dead humans and the references to ghost tours. It seemed fairly obvious who killed Tamara but there ended up being several suspects so I wasn't positive until the end. I wasn't surprised by the identity of the killer but the motive was really weak and implausible.
Lottie has two boyfriends and can't decide which one she likes better but the events of this story help start to push her away from one of her men. Everett, Lottie's good friend, is a better man. He's kind to her cats and supportive of Lottie. Even though he's a judge, he can't be unbiased towards Noah and some of that bias comes out a bit mean-spirited. Detective Noah Fox is kind of a jerk. He's a good detective but he lacks tact and sensitivity. I don't know why the cats like him better.
Tamara seems nice but what we hear about her after her death shows she is not as nice to everyone as she is to Lottie. Tamara is certainly vindictive towards her ex. Scott seems like a not-so-nice man from Tamara's point-of-view and even one of the other characters reveals hidden things about him. He has a nasty temper he can barely control and surely seems capable of murder in everyone else's opinion, yet when he's on page and accused of murder, he seems genuinely sincere in his innocence. Lottie thinks Scott's girlfriend Stacy is super nice but Stacy comes across as a bit mean-spirited. As the other woman she surely must be a villain but she does try to solve her differences with Tamara by speaking with her. Other suspects include employees and friends Bonnie Dupre and Joyce. Bonnie, an accountant, is not as good with money as she should be. She has a serious problem and a motive for murder. Joyce, a women's gym proprietor, is not the most pleasant person to deal with. She has a better motive for murder than Bonnie and she's tough enough to fight. Both women don't seem like killers but Lottie is convinced Tamara didn't just fall down the ravine.
Lottie has two sisters who apparently don't share her special gift. Lainey is a librarian of the modern sort. I found her a bit off-putting and not very warm. Their sister, Meg, is an ex-wrestler who apparently now teaches stripper dancing?! Meg is tough but more sisterly than Lainey. Their mother owns a haunted B&B and apparently makes a lot of money providing authentic ghost tours and pushing Lottie's baked goods associated with murder victims. ew. ugh. Mrs. Lemon also acts like a horny teenager. More ew. Lottie's best friend Keelie is crazy.
I didn't really like any of the new-to-me stories enough to want to read a series but I enjoyed this collection of novellas and was happy to catch up with series I have already read. I recommend this to cozy mystery lovers who read pet and/or baking themed stories and want some fun holiday infusion in their stories.
This anthology of Christmas, pet or culinary themed Christmas cozies contains a little something for everyone.
MURDER BY PLUM PUDDING by Less Strauss-- 4 stars is the whole reason I downloaded this set. I love the Ginger Gold series and this is no exception. Ginger is excited to celebrate Christmas with her new family and show Scout the magic of the season. However, she's a bit wistful missing her stepmother and sister back in Boston. When Sally and Louisa show up, Ginger is excited to see them, until they announce they're staying with her! Ginger is planning a dinner party with an American business associate of her father and his wife, the Reed family and friends. Another guest is invited for dinner so the young ladies will have a single gentleman to fight over! The American, Mr. Doyle, may be rude and crass but surely no one would wish him dead? That seems to be the case when the man dies after eating a bite of Christmas pudding. Basil and Dr. Gupta are certain the death was not due to natural causes. Can Ginger and Basil solve the crime before Christmas is over?
This story is longer than the Lady Gold Investigates series and shorter than a full-length novel. It's a very satisfactory length but a bit too long to read in one sitting. I love how confident Ginger and Basil are now in their relationship with each other and how easy they share sleuthing duties. His respect for her is admirable. Scout usually provides some comic relief but he isn't in the story much. Boss, my very favorite character, does have a big role to play in this story. Louisa is back and as annoying as ever and we get to finally meet Sally. I can see why Louisa is a pill. I don't understand what Ginger's father saw in Sally. Sally is acting more than snippy, she acts suspicious. There's NO WAY Ginger's stepmother could be a killer, right? Readers of Ginger's Journal may be disappointed that one entry is repeated here but still it was good to meet Sally in the present and see what she is like now her husband is dead.
Newcomers include Mr. and Mrs. Doyle from America. He's a loud, crude man- the sort the English hate. He manages to insult Ginger and her guests while his wife is forced to put up with his behavior and apologize. Her brother, Mr. Lester, is also at the dinner party. He's quiet and a bit aloof. Mr. Lester doesn't really respond to Louisa and Felicia's flirtations. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, friends of the Reeds, seem lonely and sad. They have secrets that could lead to the killer. Mrs. Davenport seems to be elderly, frail and possibly afflicted with dementia. They're a rather sad reminder that the book is set post-WWI.
I figured out which person was the killer right away and the murder weapon is equally obvious. Still, this is a fun mystery and fans of the series will enjoy it. Newcomers could start here if they wanted but I wouldn't recommend it.
SLAY BELLS RING by Karen MacInerney -- 2 stars
At Dewberry Farm in Texas, Christmas means mistletoe bunches, cedar swags and homemade goat's milk soap for the Buttercup Christmas Market. When Lucy Resnick and her friend Quinn hear shots coming from the ranch next door they are a bit worried for the livestock. Then the shots move closer into Lucy's peach orchard and the ladies become frightened and move indoors. The shooting turns fatal when a person crumples dead in the orchard and another person takes off running. The police think it was a random accident with the city folks staying at Lemmon Ranch but when Lucy has an opportunity to meet her wealthy neighbor and his guests, something doesn't feel right. Was this an accident or was it murder?
This series is new to me and I frankly didn't care at all about the characters or the setting. I'm not a farm girl and I'm not from Texas. I couldn't relate to Lucy or the other characters at all. Cyrus Lemmon seems nice enough but he and his guests do an awful lot of drinking before dinner. His wife, Lissa, is an alcoholic and an angry drunk. She's a nasty woman and I don't see their marriage lasting. The guests all meld together as faceless rich people. The way the mystery is solved is a bit too coincidental and quick. This is not my favorite story.
CHRISTMAS AT BAKER STREET by CeeCee James -- 3.5 stars
In this Baker Street spin-off, Cecelia is working hard to put grumpy Oscar in the Christmas spirit. When one of her guests ends up dead outside the B&B and the police threaten to take away her food license, Cecelia is deeply upset. It's up to Oscar to put his rusty FBI skills to the test and figure out what happened and help Cecelia.
I loved catching up with these characters even though I don't usually like elderly characters and elderly romances. That came as a shock to me. The last I saw Oscar, he was barely coming around and talking to Georgie. Now he's kissing Cecelia and they are obviously in love. It's sweet how her cheerful optimism can bring him out of his grief-stricken funk. Bear aka Peanut is hands-down my favorite character. She's so silly and cute. In this novella she has a very important part. I was happy to read that scene. Georgie is nowhere in sight and Frank only appears in police capacity.
There are several new guests at the B&B. Mike, the deceased, was a young man visiting the inn with his wheelchair-bound father, Steve. Mike seems like he was a slacker and Steve was tough on him. Steve is paralyzed from an accident and unable to manage without a caretaker. I feel very badly for him that his son and caretaker was killed. Steve is a bit tough and hard to like too and perhaps he was overly harsh to his son. Roy and Troy, businessmen visiting town, seem to have a lot of free time on their hands for people attending a conference. They don't even know when hey're supposed to be done. Maybe they're playing hooky or hiding something? Sarah, a college student, seems very kind and caring. Sarah is the only guest who is truly likable. Bobby and Brenda are newcomers after the murder. They can't seem to get their story straight and act kind of suspicious. They seem nice enough though and weren't around at the time of Mike's death. Perhaps they're just private?
This is a complicated mystery! I figured out one of the mysteries but not the whole picture. I enjoyed the puzzle of trying to fit the pieces together. One big mystery remains- what did Oscar do that his sons find unforgivable? A new spin-off series focusing on Oscar and his family will answer that question.
CAT'S PAWS AND CURSES by Nancy Warren I skipped this story. I don't do vampires.
MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM by Molly Fitz -- 3 stars
It's Christmas and clients for her P.I. business have been scarce but Angie and her sidekick Octo-Cat have still discovered their fair share of murderers thanks to Angie's ability to hear animals' thoughts and speak with them. Angie's Nan has a whole month of festive activities planned including pet pictures with Santa wearing outfits to match their owners'. Octo-Cat protests but Angie refuses to translate his grumpiness. Nan and her pup Paisley accompany Angie and Octo-Cat to the pet shop but Santa does not await. After a delay, Angie searches out Santa only to find him dead in the back storeroom. With the local police busy, it's up to Officer Bouchard, Angie, Angie's boyfriend Charles (a lawyer) and Octo-Cat to solve the crime.
The setting is charming. Even though I hate paranormal and find the whole reason for Angie's gift super cheesy, I enjoyed the concept. Angie is an eternal optimist with a sunny disposition. Normally I'd find her annoying but Octo-Cat's grouchiness makes up for it. I love his sarcasm. Sometimes he's a little too grouchy and mean. The author must be a cat lover because the dogs seem to be less intelligent or less developed than the cat. Paisley sounds like a little sweetheart but childlike compared to Octo-Cat's old man voice. Nan is irritating but she's fun and if she was my grandma, I'd be embarrassed but love her anyway.
Who could have killed Santa and why? The store manager, Shirley, claims the victim wasn't the man she hired and she has never seen this man before. Shirley is obviously defensive but doesn't seem upset that someone was murdered. She's the type who is more concerned about the store than the human. Andy Crawford, the real Santa-for-hire, is a crude sort of man. He's brash and kind of bullying. I found Andy to be a very unpleasant man. The victim, Marcus, wasn't a great guy but I feel sorry for him. Scott, Marcus's only friend, is also rude and unpleasant. He seems genuinely upset that Marcus was killed.
Which one killed Marcus? The solution isn't so easy to figure out and is rather complicated. I didn't expect the twist.
CHRISTMAS FUDGE FATALITY by Addison Moore -- 2.5 stars
Lottie Lemon is eager to enjoy the Christmas season with her cats and her two boyfriends. When she comes out to take a picture of Santa with her cats she unwillingly gets in the middle of a feud between her friend, Tamara Gray and Tamara's ex-husband's girlfriend Stacy. Lottie hopes the divorcing couple can settle things soon but when she sees the ghost of a French Bulldog, she fears the worst. Seeing dead pets usually means murder is imminent. In spite of extra police detail, Lottie finds Tamara's body lying at the bottom of a ravine. Everyone is certain Tamara's ex Scott is the killer but Noel, the French Bulldog is still hanging around. He wants justice done for his beloved friend and is eager to help dole it out. If only they can untangle the complicated knot woven around Tamara's life to find the killer.
I really hate ghost stories. I love animals so I kept reading this one. One dead pet didn't bother me too much because Noel seemed to really be alive. I did not enjoy the cameo by two dead humans and the references to ghost tours. It seemed fairly obvious who killed Tamara but there ended up being several suspects so I wasn't positive until the end. I wasn't surprised by the identity of the killer but the motive was really weak and implausible.
Lottie has two boyfriends and can't decide which one she likes better but the events of this story help start to push her away from one of her men. Everett, Lottie's good friend, is a better man. He's kind to her cats and supportive of Lottie. Even though he's a judge, he can't be unbiased towards Noah and some of that bias comes out a bit mean-spirited. Detective Noah Fox is kind of a jerk. He's a good detective but he lacks tact and sensitivity. I don't know why the cats like him better.
Tamara seems nice but what we hear about her after her death shows she is not as nice to everyone as she is to Lottie. Tamara is certainly vindictive towards her ex. Scott seems like a not-so-nice man from Tamara's point-of-view and even one of the other characters reveals hidden things about him. He has a nasty temper he can barely control and surely seems capable of murder in everyone else's opinion, yet when he's on page and accused of murder, he seems genuinely sincere in his innocence. Lottie thinks Scott's girlfriend Stacy is super nice but Stacy comes across as a bit mean-spirited. As the other woman she surely must be a villain but she does try to solve her differences with Tamara by speaking with her. Other suspects include employees and friends Bonnie Dupre and Joyce. Bonnie, an accountant, is not as good with money as she should be. She has a serious problem and a motive for murder. Joyce, a women's gym proprietor, is not the most pleasant person to deal with. She has a better motive for murder than Bonnie and she's tough enough to fight. Both women don't seem like killers but Lottie is convinced Tamara didn't just fall down the ravine.
Lottie has two sisters who apparently don't share her special gift. Lainey is a librarian of the modern sort. I found her a bit off-putting and not very warm. Their sister, Meg, is an ex-wrestler who apparently now teaches stripper dancing?! Meg is tough but more sisterly than Lainey. Their mother owns a haunted B&B and apparently makes a lot of money providing authentic ghost tours and pushing Lottie's baked goods associated with murder victims. ew. ugh. Mrs. Lemon also acts like a horny teenager. More ew. Lottie's best friend Keelie is crazy.
I didn't really like any of the new-to-me stories enough to want to read a series but I enjoyed this collection of novellas and was happy to catch up with series I have already read. I recommend this to cozy mystery lovers who read pet and/or baking themed stories and want some fun holiday infusion in their stories.
December 17, 2019
DNF at 6%.
October 15, 2019
Murder By Plum Pudding by Lee Strauss 3 stars
The journal remained tucked away in the bottom drawer of Mrs. Ginger Reed's bedside table, along with a photo of her first husband, Daniel , Lord Gold.
Historical cozies are not my favorite genre but I did enjoy the story. I appreciated that Ginger worked outside the home which was not common in the late 1920s. The characters were well developed and believable. I may go back and read earlier books just to learn a bit more about Ginger.
Slay Bells Ring by Karen MacInerney 4 stars
Nothing says Christmas in Central Texas like cedar fever.
Lucy and Quinn are preparing for the Christmas Market when a hunter is shot and killed on Lucy's land. This is one of my all time favorite series. I love the characters and the small town atmosphere. Every book makes me want to move to a small farming community and leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city. It is something that I plan for retirement and I hope that I will meet colorful characters like the ones written by Karen MacInerney. I love the interaction between Lucy and her friends. I really like the personalities of the animals on her little farm. I always learn something new from her DIY projects. The yummy recipes are always a hit as well. This was a nice addition to the series.
Baker Street Christmas by CeeCee James 3 stars
The clouds in the sky lay across the horizon like a gray flannel blanket, threatening an impending snow storm.
A guest at a local bed and breakfast dies unexpectedly and the other guests are not quite what they seem. This was a cute cozy form a series that I am not familiar with. I did enjoy the mature sleuths and the good character portrayal. This is a series that I will definitely be looking into.
Cat's Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren 4 stars
There is a phenomenon that occurs all over the British Isles toward the end of December.
I have only read the first book in the Vampire Knitting club series and really enjoyed it. This quick Christmas novella has a human knitting group that meets in the yarn shop. A couple of the vampire knitters are in attendance as well. During a brief blackout, a knitter is murdered. This was a lovely addition to the series. I enjoyed meeting the characters in the first book. Ms. Warren does an excellent job in introducing characters. As a fiber fiend, I appreciate the weekly meeting to knit and/or crochet. It's always a bit disturbing to imagine that a killer is sitting right next to you. I thought the plot was handled quite well. I look forward to reading more in the series.
Meowy Christmas Mayhem by Molly Fitz 3.5 stars
Hi, my name's Angie Russo, and I can talk to animals.
I love the concept of talking to animals! Then I start thinking of all the things we do in front of our animals and thank goodness mine can't talk. This was a clever tale and I will go back to read the other books in the series.
Christmas Fudge Fatality: Murder in The Mix by Addison Moore 4 stars
My name is Lottie Lemon, and I see dead people.
Any cozy with a bit of a paranormal twist to it interests me. This was no exception. Again, we have a character that sees and talks with animals although these are generally departed pets. I enjoyed the characters. I am not a fan of romantic triangles but I'm willing to give it a chance. This is a series that I will be looking into to start.
The recipe section at the back of the book was excellent! I often try recipes that are in cozies. I've really been watching my carbs but that does not stop me from making goodies to take to work. There are several here that I think will go over great.
This was a cute collection that I enjoyed reading. I found a few authors to add to my never ending to be read pile.
The journal remained tucked away in the bottom drawer of Mrs. Ginger Reed's bedside table, along with a photo of her first husband, Daniel , Lord Gold.
Historical cozies are not my favorite genre but I did enjoy the story. I appreciated that Ginger worked outside the home which was not common in the late 1920s. The characters were well developed and believable. I may go back and read earlier books just to learn a bit more about Ginger.
Slay Bells Ring by Karen MacInerney 4 stars
Nothing says Christmas in Central Texas like cedar fever.
Lucy and Quinn are preparing for the Christmas Market when a hunter is shot and killed on Lucy's land. This is one of my all time favorite series. I love the characters and the small town atmosphere. Every book makes me want to move to a small farming community and leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city. It is something that I plan for retirement and I hope that I will meet colorful characters like the ones written by Karen MacInerney. I love the interaction between Lucy and her friends. I really like the personalities of the animals on her little farm. I always learn something new from her DIY projects. The yummy recipes are always a hit as well. This was a nice addition to the series.
Baker Street Christmas by CeeCee James 3 stars
The clouds in the sky lay across the horizon like a gray flannel blanket, threatening an impending snow storm.
A guest at a local bed and breakfast dies unexpectedly and the other guests are not quite what they seem. This was a cute cozy form a series that I am not familiar with. I did enjoy the mature sleuths and the good character portrayal. This is a series that I will definitely be looking into.
Cat's Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren 4 stars
There is a phenomenon that occurs all over the British Isles toward the end of December.
I have only read the first book in the Vampire Knitting club series and really enjoyed it. This quick Christmas novella has a human knitting group that meets in the yarn shop. A couple of the vampire knitters are in attendance as well. During a brief blackout, a knitter is murdered. This was a lovely addition to the series. I enjoyed meeting the characters in the first book. Ms. Warren does an excellent job in introducing characters. As a fiber fiend, I appreciate the weekly meeting to knit and/or crochet. It's always a bit disturbing to imagine that a killer is sitting right next to you. I thought the plot was handled quite well. I look forward to reading more in the series.
Meowy Christmas Mayhem by Molly Fitz 3.5 stars
Hi, my name's Angie Russo, and I can talk to animals.
I love the concept of talking to animals! Then I start thinking of all the things we do in front of our animals and thank goodness mine can't talk. This was a clever tale and I will go back to read the other books in the series.
Christmas Fudge Fatality: Murder in The Mix by Addison Moore 4 stars
My name is Lottie Lemon, and I see dead people.
Any cozy with a bit of a paranormal twist to it interests me. This was no exception. Again, we have a character that sees and talks with animals although these are generally departed pets. I enjoyed the characters. I am not a fan of romantic triangles but I'm willing to give it a chance. This is a series that I will be looking into to start.
The recipe section at the back of the book was excellent! I often try recipes that are in cozies. I've really been watching my carbs but that does not stop me from making goodies to take to work. There are several here that I think will go over great.
This was a cute collection that I enjoyed reading. I found a few authors to add to my never ending to be read pile.
Currently reading
October 27, 2019Author gift 99
December 5, 2019
Coyer Winter 2019
Free e-books are always a mixed bag and this was the case with this anthology. The first was actually the best of all the stories. It captured the essence of a Holiday mystery . I struggled with the rest of the stories in the volume
Free e-books are always a mixed bag and this was the case with this anthology. The first was actually the best of all the stories. It captured the essence of a Holiday mystery . I struggled with the rest of the stories in the volume
October 22, 2019
This review is for MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM by Molly Fitz only. For the time being anyway, because several other novellas look very interesting.
Again, it seems I'm making a habit of this, I purchased this anthology for one specific book: Molly Fitz's MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM. I've read every installment of the Pet Whisperer P.I. series, and I couldn't miss this. I feel compelled to read every book because I just love that grumpy cat!
I have found the Pet Whisperer P.I. series to be a bit of a hit-and-miss, but this one is definitely a hit. We get down pretty quickly to the nitty gritty, and the mystery itself is quite intriguing. Although it can be read as a standalone, it does tie in with a previous book, and I thought it was very cleverly done. And our favourite fussy feline was very present, this time around.
MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM is a fun read; I really enjoyed it. Now, (hopefully!), on to the next.
Again, it seems I'm making a habit of this, I purchased this anthology for one specific book: Molly Fitz's MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM. I've read every installment of the Pet Whisperer P.I. series, and I couldn't miss this. I feel compelled to read every book because I just love that grumpy cat!
I have found the Pet Whisperer P.I. series to be a bit of a hit-and-miss, but this one is definitely a hit. We get down pretty quickly to the nitty gritty, and the mystery itself is quite intriguing. Although it can be read as a standalone, it does tie in with a previous book, and I thought it was very cleverly done. And our favourite fussy feline was very present, this time around.
MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM is a fun read; I really enjoyed it. Now, (hopefully!), on to the next.
August 13, 2020
I have been provided with a copy of Six Merry Little Murders: Christmas Cozy Mystery Novellas by the author for an impartial review. This box set has the following titles Murder by Plum Pudding by Lee Strauss, Slay Bells Ring by Karen MacInerney, Christmas at Baker Street by CeeCee James, Cat’s Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren, Meowy Christmas Mayhem by Molly Fitz, and Christmas Fudge Fatality by Addison Moore. I’ll be updating this review as I finish each title.
Murder by Plum Pudding by Lee Strauss
Slay Bells Ring by Karen MacInerney
Christmas at Baker Street by CeeCee James
Cat’s Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren
Meowy Christmas Mayhem by Molly Fitz
This novella is a part of the brand-new Pet Whisperer P.I. series and is best read after Chihuahua Conspiracy. I just loved this cute story. This was a great holiday novella and I just loved getting to see what Angie and Octo-Cat are getting themselves into. I just couldn’t get enough of this wonderful series and great characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this series.
Christmas Fudge Fatality by Addison Moore
Murder by Plum Pudding by Lee Strauss
Slay Bells Ring by Karen MacInerney
Christmas at Baker Street by CeeCee James
Cat’s Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren
Meowy Christmas Mayhem by Molly Fitz
This novella is a part of the brand-new Pet Whisperer P.I. series and is best read after Chihuahua Conspiracy. I just loved this cute story. This was a great holiday novella and I just loved getting to see what Angie and Octo-Cat are getting themselves into. I just couldn’t get enough of this wonderful series and great characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this series.
Christmas Fudge Fatality by Addison Moore
January 5, 2020
Collection of novellas. As with many collections, there were some winners and losers, but still a festive read.
Lee Strauss - MURDER BY PLUM PUDDING
Karen MacInerney - SLAY BELLS RING
Hunting accident or foul play?
CeeCee James - CHRISTMAS AT BAKER STREET
Snowed in with a killer?
Nancy Warren - CAT'S PAWS AND CURSES
Paranormal knitting circle makes for a closed room mystery.
Molly Fitz - MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM
Angie and Octocat must solve a case while waiting in line at the pet store for a pic with Santa.
Addison Moore - CHRISTMAS FUDGE FATALITY
Was the victim pushed over a cliff, or did she fall?
Lee Strauss - MURDER BY PLUM PUDDING
Karen MacInerney - SLAY BELLS RING
Hunting accident or foul play?
CeeCee James - CHRISTMAS AT BAKER STREET
Snowed in with a killer?
Nancy Warren - CAT'S PAWS AND CURSES
Paranormal knitting circle makes for a closed room mystery.
Molly Fitz - MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEM
Angie and Octocat must solve a case while waiting in line at the pet store for a pic with Santa.
Addison Moore - CHRISTMAS FUDGE FATALITY
Was the victim pushed over a cliff, or did she fall?
January 11, 2020
This wasn't bad, as far as cosy mysteries go. The only problem with an anthology is that it's not possible to give an opinion stating an average across all the stories, without adding undue credit to some and undervaluing others. I think the best thought out, most polished of the collection was the first story (you'll have to read it to find out which it was, because I'm not going to give any spoilers).
If you're a cosy mystery fan and want to find new series to follow, then this is worth a go. Each had different quirks and habits, although some of them hold more promise for long-term success and meat on the bones than others. Definitely a good book for low thinking, easy bedtime reading.
If you're a cosy mystery fan and want to find new series to follow, then this is worth a go. Each had different quirks and habits, although some of them hold more promise for long-term success and meat on the bones than others. Definitely a good book for low thinking, easy bedtime reading.
December 15, 2021
So there were six stories in this anthology.
The first two were kinda me, the 3&4th story were okay and I actually liked the last two.
I think the main problem was that the authors struggled to fit a murder mystery into a short story format. Adding to that the sometimes unnecessary many character introductions and the stories just aren’t that great.
I liked the concept of the last story, but frankly the two guys fighting over the girl were so annoying!
And why on earth would anyone in their right mind confront a murderer while that person has a kitchen knife in their hands???? Like, girl, think!!
The first two were kinda me, the 3&4th story were okay and I actually liked the last two.
I think the main problem was that the authors struggled to fit a murder mystery into a short story format. Adding to that the sometimes unnecessary many character introductions and the stories just aren’t that great.
I liked the concept of the last story, but frankly the two guys fighting over the girl were so annoying!
And why on earth would anyone in their right mind confront a murderer while that person has a kitchen knife in their hands???? Like, girl, think!!
December 24, 2019
I Enjoyed 4 Stories of the 6
When buying an anthology like this, one sort of takes a "pig in a poke" in terms of if all the stories will be something you want to read. For me, I enjoyed 4 of the stories but two were not on my reading list. I am not much for stories about vampires nor about ghost pets that come back to earth when the murder of their owner is about to happen. Both just seem a bit too weird for me. Thus the reason for the 4 stars which I gave for the enjoyment I got out of the other 4 stories.
When buying an anthology like this, one sort of takes a "pig in a poke" in terms of if all the stories will be something you want to read. For me, I enjoyed 4 of the stories but two were not on my reading list. I am not much for stories about vampires nor about ghost pets that come back to earth when the murder of their owner is about to happen. Both just seem a bit too weird for me. Thus the reason for the 4 stars which I gave for the enjoyment I got out of the other 4 stories.
December 27, 2019
I bought this largely on the strength of the first author Lee Strauss whose Ginger Gold series I follow. That story was very good but sadly the rest were quite trite and lack lustre. I know short stories can be tricky things but I was unable to engage with the characters in the other stories and just skim read to the end. The Lee Strauss Story is also available as a standalone novella and I wish I had just bought that.
December 31, 2019
This collection of 6 tales makes for a delightful read to get you into the Christmas spirit while keeping a bit of chill in the air too with murder in the air alongside the smell of cookies and eggnog. Along with each story you also get a few bonus recipes to try, taken straight from each story, to tempt you that bit further and bring a little of each story home (the bits that you would want anyway!).
November 21, 2021
Christmas-themed murder mysteries by some of my favorite authors? Sign me up! There’s a lot of variety in this anthology. Contemporary or historical. Paranormal or procedural. Humorous or serious. Take your pick. I enjoyed all of the stories in this book, and many of them are series I haven’t read previously. I’m sure there’s about to be a flurry of spending and binge reading in my future so I can see the rest of what I’ve been missing.
January 11, 2023
lame
I don’t like lee straus’s writing at all. Don’t like the time it’s set in, find it slow and boring.
Didn’t like the next book, Boring, slow, just no good. After that I tried reading the next book, bit it truly couldn’t hold my attention.
I really got this freebie only to read Addison moore’s book. But in The end couldn’t face it.
I think Addison has done a disservice to herself putting a short story in with the other authours,
I don’t like lee straus’s writing at all. Don’t like the time it’s set in, find it slow and boring.
Didn’t like the next book, Boring, slow, just no good. After that I tried reading the next book, bit it truly couldn’t hold my attention.
I really got this freebie only to read Addison moore’s book. But in The end couldn’t face it.
I think Addison has done a disservice to herself putting a short story in with the other authours,
December 27, 2019
Six fun and cozy mysteries
I enjoyed reading this compilation of short stories and novellas. I thought all of the authors did a great job, with the exception of one story that I thought was poorly written. I loved that there was an assortment of settings and genres - historical, witches and vampires, talking animals, etc. It has been fun discovering new authors to explore.
I enjoyed reading this compilation of short stories and novellas. I thought all of the authors did a great job, with the exception of one story that I thought was poorly written. I loved that there was an assortment of settings and genres - historical, witches and vampires, talking animals, etc. It has been fun discovering new authors to explore.
December 29, 2019
Six Merry Little Murders: Christmas Cozy Mystery Novellas was a fun, light-hearted read featuring six new murder mysteries by authors; Lee Strauss, Karen MacInerney, CeeCee James, Nancy Warren, Molly Fitz, Addison Moore.
I enjoyed sampling the work of these authors. The only one I had any knowledge of was Lee Strauss whose book Murder on the SS Rosa I read previously.
I enjoyed sampling the work of these authors. The only one I had any knowledge of was Lee Strauss whose book Murder on the SS Rosa I read previously.
January 23, 2020
This is a collection of six cozy short Christmas Murder Mysteries. Some were more entertaining than others. All of the writers have additional books available. Some of them I might read at some point. Others I would skip. Try them out on a cold winter's night with some hot chocolate and decide for yourself. None of the stories are very long so you have lost nothing by trying them out.
February 10, 2020
Loved the Lee Straus story
I am a big fan of Lee Straus so I got this book. Had I realized I could get it on its own I wouldn't have bought this one. I am not a fan of talking animal stories or haunted mysteries. When they are together in the same story I definitely don't like them.I did read them all but now I can't wait to move on.
I am a big fan of Lee Straus so I got this book. Had I realized I could get it on its own I wouldn't have bought this one. I am not a fan of talking animal stories or haunted mysteries. When they are together in the same story I definitely don't like them.I did read them all but now I can't wait to move on.
February 14, 2020
Great Read
Love all the stories. I have read every book by Karen Macinerney and love them all. I always look forward to the next mystery.
I have always wanted to read CeeCer James and with this short story I cannot wait to read more.
I am going to start reading all the authors in this book.
Love all the stories. I have read every book by Karen Macinerney and love them all. I always look forward to the next mystery.
I have always wanted to read CeeCer James and with this short story I cannot wait to read more.
I am going to start reading all the authors in this book.
September 12, 2020
Some of the novellas were good, others not so much, but that is what you get with an anthology. It’s difficult to really develop characters when writing a shorter novel and I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series, so I didn’t feel like I got to know the characters. I really don’t enjoy many cozies with ghosts or animals that talk to the Protagonist.
November 25, 2020
Six Merry Little Murders is a compilation of six cozy mysteries. The six stories are very different from each other. One story takes place in England in the early twentieth century on Christmas Eve. Another takes place in rural Texas. Another involves zombies. Even dead pet spirits help to solve crimes. At least one story and one of the included will please a cozy mystery fan.
December 17, 2019
I frankly didn’t care that much for any of these stories, although if I could rate them separately, I would rate the Ginger Gold story the highest, maybe a 3.5 rounded to 4. The others were just not at all interesting to me, and most wrapped up in the most unconvincing way...too quickly, too easily, too unbelievably. And the one about vampires? Please, I had no interest in reading that one at all. I love to read good, well-written novels about Christmas at this time of year, but this was not worth bothering with, in my opinion. Very disappointed.
January 10, 2020
I enjoyed these little stories in this box set very much. I highly recommend this set of books written by some of my most loved authors to anyone interested in some light reading without any bloodshed.
June 15, 2020
Quick Christmas Reads
I loved this collection of quick and easy Christmas mysteries, perfect to read while waiting for the cookies to come out of the oven. Comprised of a nice variety of authors with different styles, and delicious recipes included at the end.
I loved this collection of quick and easy Christmas mysteries, perfect to read while waiting for the cookies to come out of the oven. Comprised of a nice variety of authors with different styles, and delicious recipes included at the end.
December 26, 2019
Absolutely loved this series of Short Holiday stories :) great back to back story lines, suspense all based around christmas time. - recommended
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